They’re not in it for the money. Township mayors are paid a bit better, between $38,000 and $51,000 a year. Editor's note: The following is the opening instalment in a three-part series. It’s part of the deal of being an elected representative. “Comments made like it’s 'part of the job/what you get paid for' – or (it's) 'what you signed up for' which gives the impression that the option and opportunity to smear your name and reputation, insult you or verbally abuse you is free game if they don’t agree with your decision-making," she added. “This, I believe, is what is driving the majority of political harassment online along with the polarization of society. “I’m not a Facebook fan,” he said at the township’s April 3 council meeting. He says he has never been the victim of online bullying or harassment, but he’s also not interested in pushing his luck. Like other local politicians, Kiezebrink says he has a non-engagement policy when it comes to social media. “I'm not particularly active on social media as it is almost impossible to have a balanced civil conversation/debate in that forum," he added. ”From a political perspective, Alexander said she’d rather not engage on social media, but it’s difficult not to because social media is a good way to talk directly to residents. “I have an open-door policy to reach out to me and together we can try to work out concerns. "“Today, social media has people not informed and spreading incorrect information or just wanting to stir the pot,” she said. “It doesn’t provide solutions and it has the potential to divide our community. "“I have spoken to some residents who are very passionate about their concerns, but I have not felt bullied,” she said. “While it is fine to disagree with the way I vote on an issue, I find the comments on posts often cross a line and become aggressive and disrespectful. “What I find most interesting, given that Springwater is a small community, I will often run into these people who have no problem unabashedly expressing their opinions about me on a social media platform, but will not engage in that conversation with me face-to-face," she added. Wayne Doyle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BarrieToday.
